Differential hygrostat for controlling the humidity of air-conditioning systems.



w. B. House. I DIFFERENTIAL IIYGROSTAT FOR CONTROLLING THE HUMIDITY OFAIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. I, l9l5.

Patented-NOV. 12

191& 3 snsns-susu I;

I QQI W. B. HODGE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. I. 1915.

Patented Nov. 12, 1918.

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DIFFERENTIAL HYGROSTAT FOR CONTROLLING THE HUMIDITY OF AIR CONDITIONINGSYSTEMS.

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DIFFERENTIAL HYGROSTAIFOR CONTROLLING THE HUMIDITY OF AIR CONDITIONINGSYSTEMS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. I. I9I5. I

LQMfiM. I Patented Nov. 12,191&

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3. 40 84/ WILLIAM B. HODGE, OF CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA,ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO PARKS-CRAMER COMPANY, OF

RATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

FITCHBUBG, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPO- DIFFERENTIAL HYGROSTAT FORCONTROLLING THE HUMIDITY OF AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEMS. v

Specification of LettersPatent.

Application filed February 1, 1915. Serial No. 5,536.

2 1'0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM B. Honor, a citizen of the United States,residing at Charlotte, in the county of Mecklenburg and State of NorthCarolina, have invented certain new and useful lmprovements inDifferential Hygrostats for Controlling the Humidity of Air-ConditioningSystems; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, andexact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilledin the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The invention relates to improvements in differential hygrostats forcontrolling the humidity of air conditioning systems.

In the use of such systems for humiditying a building, it has been foundto be good practice to divide the humidifying section or nozzles into aseries of banks each provided with independent means for putting into orout of operation more or less of these banks of nozzles to saturate theair to a greater or less degree.

An object of the invention is to provide a single device or instrumentcommon to all of such banks of nozzles, aforementioned, to control thesame automatically and in consecutive order, or, to operate in a mannerto progressively cut in or out as many of such banks of nozzles as maybe desired to maintain a predetermined degree of humidity throughout abuilding.

With this and other objects in view, the invention resides in certainnovel constructions and arrangements as will be hereinafter more fullydescribed, set forth in the appended claims, and illustrated in theaccompanying drawing, in which:-

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment of theinvention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same,

i Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is an end view showlng the lndicator for settin the device foroperation at predetermined degrees of humidity,

Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse section on the line 55 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic plan view of a portion of an air conditioningsystem showing the invention applied thereto.

Referring to the accom an drawin in which like characters 0 re ge i ncedesig nate corresponding parts in the several views thereof, 1designates a suitable supporting frame having spaced vertically disposedwalls or plates 2, 3, 4 and 5, rising therefrom, and is provided with asupporting plate 6 forming a bottom wall for the frame.

Intel-posed between the walls or plates 2 and 3, at one side of theframe 1, is a voke 7,

- Patented Nov; 12, 1918. Y

TED STATES PATEnT orrron A T supported at one end by means of spaced Yguide rods. 8 slidably supported in suitable openings formed in the wallor plate 3, and having the other of its ends provided with a threadedsocket 9 adapted to receive the threaded end 10, of an adjusting screw,by means of which the yoke may be adjusted. Supported within the yoke 7is a series of diaphragms 11 having one of its ends secured to the yokeand the other of its ends provided-with an extension rod-12 which passesthrough the yoke and the adjacent wall or plate 3. A coiled spring 13 iscar-. ried by the extension rod 12 and is inter-- posed between the freeend of the diaphragms 11 and the opposed member of the yoke.

At the opposite end of the frame 1 and in alinement with the yoke 7, islocated a second yoke having its side-bars or rods 14 and 15 projectedthrough suitable openings formed in the wall or plate 4 and connected attheir opposite ends by end-bars 16 and 17. The end-bar 16 is providedwith rearwardly projecting spaced guide rods 18 engaged in suitableopenings formed in the wallor plate 5. Inter-posed between the wall orplate 4 and the opposed end-bar 16 are a second series of diaphragms 19which are secured at one end to the Wall or plate 4 by means of nut 20and its rear end supported by an extension rod 21 which passes throughan opening formed in the end-bar 16. A coiled spring 22 is carried bythe extension rod 21 and is interposed between the end-bar 16 and theopposed face of the wall or plate 5.

- Located between the walls or plates 3 and 4 is a raised supportingelement 23 upon which is slidably supported a plurality of valve blocks(three of such blocks being shown for obvious reasons) 24, 25 and 26.each being provided with a port 27, 28 and 29, respectively, the purposeof which will be hereinafter more fully described. The valve block 25 isadjustably secured, at one end, to the end-bar 17, by a suitablesecuring means 30, and has its upper face milled orcut-away to provideside flanges 31 which constitute the terminals of branch fluid pressurelines 67, 68 and69 leading to diaphragm valves 70, 71 and 72,respectively,

extend throughout the greater portion of its located in the branches 73,74 and 7 5 of a length. Immediately adjacent one end of water supply orhumidifying line 76. Leadthe upper face. of the valve block 25, and ingfrom each of the pipe fittings 64,65 and on its opposite edges, there isduplicated a V 66 are flexible couplings 77, 78 and 79, reseries ofdegree indications calibrated in, spectively, which connect at the ports27 ,terms-of expansion of the diaphragms 19.

The oppositely disposed valve blocks 24 and 26 are adjustably secured tothe valve block 25 by means of the slots 32 and 33, formed thereinrespectively'and which are engaged by suitable clamping elements 34 and35 carried by the valve block 25. The upper faces of the valve blocks 24and 26 are milled or cut-away to provide oppositely disposed flanges 36and 37, respectively which extend throughout the greater portion oftheir length.v The ends of said valve blocks 24 and 26, immediatelyadjacent the degree marked end of the valve block 25, and their edgesadjacent thereto, are provided with indicator arrows 38 by means ofwhich the several valve blocks may be displaced longitudinally, withrespect to one another, any desired number of degrees, when the clampingelements 34 and 35 are loosened to permit such adjustment.

Slidably seated upon the milled faces and between the side flanges ofeach of the valve V blocks 24, 25 and 26 are slide valves 39, 40-

and 41, respectively, each being provided with upstanding ears or lugs42, 43 and 44, respectively, by means of which they are pivotallyconnected, through the medium of the links 45, 46 and 47, to across-head 48 carried by the projecting end of the extension rod 12 ofthe diaphragms 11. A suitable spring 49 is provided to bear down uponeach of the slide valves 39, 40 and 41. and said springs are eachsecured in proper relation to the latter to the cross-head 48.

Projecting through the supporting plate 6 is a series of pipe fittings50, 51 and 52, an qual numberof such fittings correspond 28 and 29, ofthe valve blocks 24, 25 and 26, aforementioned; These two sets of pipefittings, aforesaid, are located in spaced relation intermediate thewalls or plates 3 and 4, and to the side of the frame 1 opposite to thatoccupied by the valve blocks and their supporting plate.

The diaphragms 19 are affected only by the dry bulb temperature of thesurrounding atmosphere, while the diaphragms 11 are to be affected-bythe wet bulb temperature which is obtained by locating the latterdiaphragms in the path of a spray from a water atomizing nozzle 80, suchspray being directed upon the diaphragms 11, from the nozzle 80, bymeans of an air pressure nozzle 81 arrangedwin substantially rightangular relation to the same for the purpose? The free end of theadjusting screw 10 is provided with a milled operating head 82 whichcarries an indicator arm or pointer 83 adapted to be moved over the dial84 which is calibrated in terms of wet bulb temperature, when the screw10 is actuated to set the diaphragms 11 for any desired rise in suchtemperatureu In place of the water atomizing nozzle 80, the diaphragms11 may be arranged with an absorbent covering, not shown, dipping into aWater bath, or in any other convenient manner to indicate or measure thedesired temperature. The device, however, may be used as a simpledifferential. thermometer without the application of the water spray orother cooling means to either of the two sets of diaphragms.

The operation of the device is as follows :Assuming the valve blocks 24,25 and 26 to have been adjusted to any desired reing to the number ofvalve blocks being lation with respect to one another, and the necessaryfor the operation of the device, pointer 83 moved to a desired positionon each provided with an adjustable needle or the scale, of the dial 84,thus placingthe retarding valve 60, which are respectively diaphragms 11in condition for operation, capped with nuts 53, 54 and 55, these latterpreferably, at a difference of temperature bebeing removable foradjusting the flow of low that of the diaphragms 19, the diapressurethrough valves 60 and constituting phragm valves 70, 71 and 72 being inopen the terminals of the fluidpressure line 56, as in Fig. 1, or thesubdivided and individual terminals of the pressure lines 57,

. 58 and 59, as in Fig. 6, which pressure line 56, or, preferably, lines57, 58 and 59 are each provided with suitable retarding valves 60.Arranged slightly in advance of the pipe fittings 50, 51 and 52, andconnected v line 68 and to accumulate therein sufiicently to actuate thediaphragm valve 71 to its closed position, thus putting outof operationits corresponding branch of the system. A still further increase'in thehumidity of the air, causes a similar operation of the third section ofthe device, or as many more of such sections as may be desired for thecontrol of a larger system, and the subsequent putting out f operationof the remaining section, or sections, as the case may be. I

The slide valves 39, 40 and 41 are pro: vided, preferably, with plates,of glass 85 on their under surfaces, so as to present an extremely hard,tight-fitting surface there to contact the milled faces of the valveblocks, afore-mentioned, and one in which corroding, common withcontacting metal faces, is practically eliminated.

In view of the foregoing, it is evident that the invention admits of amore gradual and uniform cutting on or off of the water sup-- ply, orhumidifying of the resultant air,

' than has heretofore been obtained, and one which utilizes a singlepoint of control for a plurality of banks 'or sections ofmoisturesupplying lines rather than, as is the usual case, a separatecontrol device for each of the independent branches of the humidifyingline of air conditioning systems.

It is also well understood practice in this art that electrial contactswith their connections to valves and current supply form a means ofactuating valves equivalent to and interchangeable with the pneumaticmeans shown and described herein, and it is not desired to limit thisapplication to merely means of pneumatic control, but to also includethe well-known electrical means or any other means equivalent to thepneumatic.

Having thus fully described theinvention, what is claimed, is

1. In a hygrostat, multi-port valve seats and cooperating valvestherefor, the said valve seats and valves actuated respectively by wetand dry bulb devices.

2. In a differential hygrostat, multi-port valve seats and coiiperatingvalves therefor, the said valve seats and valves actuated respectivelyby a plurality of thermo-respon sive devices. a

3., In a hygrostat, a series of valve blocks each provided with a port,a slide valve for each of said valve blocks, and thermoresponsive meansfor actuatingsaid valve blocks and sa1d sl1de valves relative to oneanother.

' 4. In a differential hygrostat, a multiport valve, a slide valve foreach port of said valve, and thermoresponsive means for actuating saidvalve and said slide valves relative to one another.

-5. In a differential hygrostat, a multiport valve, a slide valve foreach port of said valve, and thermoresponslve means for actuating sa1dvalve and sa1d sl1de valves relatlve to one another, sa1d sl1de valvesoperatingto open or close said ports progresslide valve for each port.of said valve blocks, a thermo-responsive device actuating sa1d valveblocks in one dlrectlon, and a second thermo-responsive device foractuating said slide valves to a different extent to that of said valveblocks, said slide valves operating to open or close said Portsprogressively.

8. In a differential hygrostat, multiple adjustable valve blocks eachprovided with a port, a slide valve for each port of said valve blocks,and means for actuating said valve blocks and said slide valves relativeto one another, said slide valves operating to open or close said portsprogressively.

9. In a differential hygrostat, a series of valve blocks each providedwith a port, means for adjusting said valve blocks relative to oneanother, a slide valve for each port of said valve blocks, and means foractuating said valve blocks and. said slide valves relative to oneanother, said slide valves operating to open or close said portsprogressively.

10. In a differential hygrostat, a series of valve blocks each providedwith a port, means for adjusting said valve blocks relative to oneanother, a'slide valve for each port of said valve blocks, a thermo-resonto provide a plurality of banks or sections,

' pressure actuated devices for putting said to provide a plurality ofbanks or sections,

pressure actuated devices for putting said banks or sections into or outof operation, fluid pressure means for actuating said pressure actuateddevices, and a single differential means for controlling said expansivemeans for the progressive actuation of said pressure actuated devices.

13. In combination, an air conditioning system having its humidifyingline arranged to provide a plurality of banks or sections, a diaphragmvalve for each of said banks or sections, fluid means for actuating'said ,diaphragm valves, and a single differential means for controllingsaid fluid means for the progressive actuation of said diaphragm valves.

14. In combination, an air conditioning system having its humidifyingline arranged to provide a plurality of banks or sections, a diaphragmvalve for controlling each of said banks or sections, pneumatic meansfor actuatin said diaphragm valves, control valves or said pneumaticmeans, and a single differential means for actuating said control valvesfor the progressive actuation of said diaphragm valves.

15. In combination, an air conditioning system having its humidifyingline arranged to provide a plurality of banks or sections. a diaphragmvalve for controlling each of said banks or sections, fluid pressuremeans for actuating said diaphragm valves, a multiport control valve forsaid fluid pressure means, and asingle differential means for actuatingsaid control valve for the progressive actuation of said diaphragmvalves.

16. In combination, an air conditioning system having its humidifyingline arranged ,to provide a plurality of banks or sections, diaphragmvalves for controlling said banks or sections, a main fluid pressureline, a plurality of branch fluid pressure lines connecting said mainfluid pressure line with said diaphragm valves, a control valve providedwith a plurality of ports each connected to one of said branch fluidpressure lines, and a single differential means for actuating saidcontrol valve for the progressive actuation of said diaphragm valves.

17-. In combination, an air conditioning system having its humidifyingline arranged to'provide a plurality of banks or sections, diaphragmvalves' for controlling each of said banks or sections, a main fluidpressure line, a plurality of branch fluid pressure lines connectingsaid main fluid pressure line with said diaphragm valves, a controlvalve provided With a plurality of ports each connected to one of saidbranch fluid pressure lines, and a differential thermostatic device foractuating said control valve for th progressive actuation of saiddiaphragm valves.

18. In combination, an air conditioning system having its humidifyingline arranged to provide a plurality of banks or sections, diaphragmvalves for controlling each of said banks or sections, a main fluidpressure line, aplurality of branch fluid pressure lines connecting saidmain fluid pressure line with said diaphragm valves, a control valveprovided with a plurality of port,s,'flexible couplings connecting saidbranch fluid pressure lines with the ports of said control valve, and adilierential thermostatic device for actuating said control valve forthe progressive actuation of said diaphragm valves.

19. In combination, an air conditioning system having its humidifyingline arranged to provide a plurality of banks or sections, diaphragmvalves for controllin each of said banks or sections, a main fluipressure line, a plurality of branch fluid pressure lines connectingsaid main fluid pressure line With said diaphragm valves, a controlvalve provided with a plurality of ports, flexible couplings connectingsaid branch fluid pressure lines with the ports of said control valve,said control valve comprising slide valves for each of said ports, and asingle thermostatic device for actuating said slide valves for openingor closing the ports of said control valve progressively 20.-Incombination, an air conditioning system having its humidifying linearranged to provide a plurality of banks or sections.

diaphragm valves for controlling each of said banks or sections, a mainfluid pressure line, a plurality of branch fluid pressure linesconnecting said main fluid pressure line with said diaphragm valves, acontrol valve provided with a plurality-of ports, flexible couplingsconnecting said branch fluid pressure lines with the ports of saidcontrol valve, said control valve comprising interconnected slide valvesfor said ports, and means for moving said control valve and said slidevalves relative to one another for opening or closing the ports of theformer progressively.

21. In combination, an air conditioning system having its humidifyingline arranged to provide a plurality of banks or sections, diaphragmvalves for controlling each of said banks or sections, a main fluidpressure line, a plurality of branch fluid pressure lines connectingsaid main fluid pressure line with said diaphragm valves, a plurality ofvalve blocks each provided with a single port, flexible couplingsconnecting said branch fluid ressu're lines each to a port of said valvelocks, a slide valve for each port of said valve blocks, anddifi'erential means for moving said valve blocks and said slide valvesrelative to one another for opening or closing the ports of the formerprogressively.

22. In combination, an air conditioning system having its humidifyingline arranged to provide a plurality of banks 01' sections, diaphragmvalves for controlling each of said banks or sections, a main fluidpressure line, a plurality of branch fluid pressure lines connectingsaid main fluid ressure line with said diaphragm valves, a p urality ofvalve blocks each provided with a single ort, flexible couplingsconnecting said Eranch fluid pressure lines each to a port of said valveblocks, means for adjusting said valve blocks relative to one another, aslide valve for each port of said valve blocks, and differential meansfor moving said valve blocks and said slide valves relative to oneanother for opening or closing the ports of the former progressively.

23. In combination, an air conditioning system having its humidifyingline .arranged to provide a plurality of banks or sections, diaphragmvalves for controlling each of said banks or sections, a main fluidpressure line, a plurality of branch fluid pressure lines connectingsaid main fluid pressure line with said diaphragm valves, a plurality ofvalve blocks each provided with a single port, flexible couplingsconnecting said branch fluid pressure lines each to a port of said valveblocks, means for adjusting said valve blocks relative to one another, aslide Valve for each port of said valve blocks, a dry bulbthermo-responsive' device for actuating said valve blocks, and a wetbulb thermo-responsive device 'for actuating said slide valves foropening or closing the ports of said'valve blocks progressively.

24. In combination, an air conditioning system having its humidifyingline arranged to provide a plurality of banks or sections, diaphragmvalves for controlling said banks or sections, a main fluid pressureline, a plurality of branch fluid pressure lines connecting said mainfluid pressure line with said diaphragm valves, a plurality of valveblocks each provided with a port, flexible couplings connecting saidbranch fluid pressure each to a port of said valve blocks, means foradjusting said valve blocks relative to one another, a slide valve foreach port of said valve blocks,-adry:bu1b

thermo-responsive device for actuating said valve blocks, a wet bulbthermo-responsive dev1c e for actuating said slide valves for opening orclosing the ports of said valve blocks progressively, and means forsetting sive device for actuating said valves to a difl'erent extent tothat of said valve blocks, sa d slide valves operating to open and closesald ports progress1vely, and means for setting one of thethermo-responsive devices for operation at a desired percentage ofhumidity.

26. In combination, an air conditioning system having its humidity linearranged to provide a plurality of banks or sections, diaphragm valvesfor controlling said banks or sections, a main fluid pressure line, aplu rality of branch fluid pressure lines connecting said main fluidpressure line with said diaphragm valves, a plurality of valve blockseach provided with a port, flexible couplings connecting said branchfluid pressure lines each to a'port of said valve blocks, means foradjusting said valve blocks relative to one another, a slide valve foreach port of said valve blocks, a dry bulb thermoresponsive device foractuating said valve blocks, a wet bulb thermo-responsive device foractuating said slide valves for opening and closin the ports of saidvalve blocks progressive y, and means for setting one of saidthermo-responsive devices for operation at any desired percentage ofhumidity.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

.WILLIAM B. HODGE.

Witnesses:

JNo. G. WATsoN, HOWARD MORRISON.

